OSCE as a Component of the Certification of Students Pursuing the Second (Master’s) Level of Higher Education in the Specialty “Therapy and Rehabilitation”

On May 15, 2026, the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) was conducted at the Simulation Training Center of I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, in accordance with the Regulations on the Procedure for Conducting the Certification of Graduates in Specialty 227 “Therapy and Rehabilitation” at the Second (Master’s) Level of Higher Education at I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, as an integral part of the state certification of higher education students.

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) was designed to assess the level of professional competencies acquired by graduates during the completion of specialized educational components of the academic program, particularly in the following disciplines:

Physical Therapy for Disorders of the Cardiovascular System;

Physical Therapy for Disorders of the Nervous System, including Organic Nervous System Disorders in Children;

Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders;

Physical Therapy for Respiratory System Disorders;

First Aid.

During the OSCE, the following components of students’ professional competencies were assessed:

• communication skills and professional ethics;
• subjective assessment, objective examination, and monitoring;
• evaluation, planning, and prognosis;
• intervention.

All students completed 12 consecutive stations, each designed to assess specific practical skills and competencies. Student performance at each OSCE station was evaluated using an electronic checklist developed in accordance with professional action algorithms and practical skills assessment criteria.

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) was conducted in a practice-oriented format, enabling students to demonstrate not only their theoretical knowledge but also their practical clinical skills, professional reasoning, and ability to work with patients in various clinical situations within rehabilitation settings.